Youth football game ends in violence

Deputies say a youth football game ended in violence Friday evening when a former coach got into an altercation with a father.

It happened at the Oakgrove Athletic Association Park on Stallings Rd.

Deputies swarmed the field after 911 caller reported a man wielding a knife at the game. Several people were cut.

Christopher Allen is now charged, but he told ABC11 Monday that he was actually the victim of overzealous parents who attacked him.

"He hit me. He hit me first. I want to get that straight 'cause a lot people think I'm the bad guy here," said Allen. "I feel bad that it happened 'cause I like kids."

But investigators say Allen went for a knife and grilling fork in the ball field's kitchen. And when two parents tried to disarm him, they say he lashed out, cutting them.

The game was cancelled. Upset parents and kids as young as six years old left in shock.

Arthur Moore with the Oak Grove Athletic Association said Monday it was an isolated incident. The organization has a 45-year history in Durham coaching kids in soccer, cheerleading, baseball, and football - all without incident - until now.

"This is an embarrassment. We're gonna get past it," said Moore.

The fight has now prompted talk of additional security at future games.

No kids were hurt in Friday's incident.

In addition to assault, authorities have also charged Allen with communicating threats and puncturing car tires with the grilling fork.